KEPALA BATAS: In the eight months of his premiership, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he has never used his position as Prime Minister to belittle the Malays or Islam.

"In the past eight months, I have often asked in Parliament what I have done to betray the Malays and Islam.

"Is it because I support Chow Kon Yeow as Penang Chief Minister?

"I did not betray anyone and accept the truth about politics and reality. I want this country to be peaceful.

"In the country, and other states, all the top positions – including the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, the Chief Judge, the Attorney General, the Bank Negara Malaysia Governor – are all Malays and of the Islamic faith.

"We should not allow racial animosity which can cause us to fall again because of our values," he said at the state-level Malaysia Madani Seminar held at Bertam Resort here on Sunday (July 16).

Anwar told attendees that he was prepared to improve himself if there were any shortcomings on his part.

"Give me time and I will improve. However, there is one thing that I will not tolerate.

"I have gone through ups and downs and I will not betray the trust given to me by the people by stealing the country's money and allowing corruption to continue in this country," he said.

He said that he has never used his position to steal government money.

"One thing that cannot be disputed is that I did not use my power as Prime Minister or Finance Minister to steal money from the country, to oppress the people and betray their trust," he said.